The landscape of modern dating has changed drastically in the last decade. Apps once used for casual hookups are now sending more and more people down the aisle. According to eharmony, 20% of current committed relationships began online.
But whether you’re looking for happily ever after or something more casual, you need an enticing online dating profile to attract the right people.
Keep reading to learn more:
- Example #1: Showing vulnerability in your dating profile
- Example #2: Using your Bumble profile as a conversation starter
- Bumble profile tips
How to make your profile stand out.
Examples of how to introduce yourself on a dating site
Bottom line: When in doubt, keep your profile short and sweet
Tinder bio: Good examples for females
Tinder has 57 million active users as of 2021. A 2019 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that men spend an average of 5.7 seconds before swiping right on the profiles they find attractive, and women spend only 3.19 seconds.
So how can you make a positive first impression in such a short amount of time with your Tinder profile?
“The key to a good profile is positivity and specificity. You want to paint a picture of who you uniquely are,” says Emyli Lovz, co-founder of emlovz, a coaching and matchmaking service.
“Don’t try and appeal to the masses,” she says. “You’re only looking for one person to spend forever with. The more specific and polarizing your profile is, the better you’ll be able to get the dating app algorithms to work for you in pairing you with a deeply compatible match.”
Lovz offered some examples of successful female bios she’s worked on:
Listen – I know I’m just a poor man’s Zooey Deschanel and I can’t even promise you love or sex or even affection, but I can guarantee:
- a very public Celine Dion serenade with elaborate arm choreography
- a deep-fake English accent if you’re American or absolutely nothing but shame if you’re British
- a medium-rare steak so nice it would make Ron Swanson weep
- a collection of useless pub trivia that is 72% accurate most of the time
- a conversation filled with fun and laughter
Vaccinated | ENTJ
I’m friendly, funny, nice & happy. I prioritize exercise daily & am committed to self growth/development. I enjoy spending time with family/friends, adventures, traveling, playing games, eating, etc. Ready to date seriously and find my person making sober sexy – don’t let it scare you away
What not to do: Lovz says it’s important not to point out what you don’t want and to avoid speaking negatively in your Tinder bio.
Alyssa Dinnen, author of The Art of Online Dating and founder of the Style My Profile coaching service, stresses the importance of using every photo slot available on your profile and choosing quality photos.
“The more people can see of you, the better,” Dinnen says. “So if you don’t have at least five or six photos, grab a friend to take more photos.”
She says photos that most often make people swipe right are clear and show a person from the waist or shoulders up, smiling and without sunglasses on. Photos that make people swipe left are often grainy or blurry, obviously old, have someone crossed out of the photo or include a large group of people.
Dinnen occasionally posts sample dating profiles to her 30K+ followers on Instagram. She created this dating profile example for women to learn the dos and don'ts of writing a bio:
Original: I'm a mom and ophthalmologist, and in my spare time I like going to museums and coffee shops. I'm creative and motivated. Let's connect!
Upgrade: I am a sensitive person who likes to take care of others. But not to the point of being a doormat! I volunteer at the Museum of Modern Art whenever possible because I'm a frustrated artist who became an ophthalmologist. I still love to see art and paint with my daughter whenever possible. Also, I love to spend time off walking through new cities: street art and checking out hole in the wall coffee shops are my thing.
Here are some examples of other female Tinder profiles that commenters on the Everything about Tinder subreddit deemed positive:
Megan, 19:
Let's think about this, we meet up and have a great time, we date for a year then get married, have 2 kids then 5 years down the road we start fighting, both turn to alcohol, get a divorce and the kids are unhappy. OR we meet up and have a good time, hook up, you pull out and I do the walk of shame and never see you again.
Just think of the kids
Oh, and I need a date to my sisters wedding
Worried about online dating safety? You can always run a background check.
Liz, 21:
Midwest lady working in Orlando. I probably swiped right if I saw motocross, animals, or cool beards.
The quickest way to my heart is through my rib cage.
Harissa, 27:
Take me on an adventure. Whatever that means.
Not on here for hookups. Even though my picture is baiting you with massive exposed cleavage.
Only on here for friends because that's why they invented dating apps.
I have a son and if he doesn't like your dog (who I probably swiped for) then swipe
If I don't respond it's because I'm not usually on here. Why do I have this app again?
Will NOT respond to “hey” or “hi” or any other normal way to start a conversation
Tinder profile tips
Based on expert advice, here is a summary of their advice to help you create a good Tinder bio:
- Paint a clear picture of who you are
- Use a clear, smiling photo without sunglasses on
- Avoid cliches
- Focus on the niche aspects of your personality
- Be positive and upbeat
Want to see how your profile stacks up? Check out this Reddit thread that provides a checklist for a good Tinder profile, and read more about how to choose photos for a dating profile:
Tinder reviews — is this dating app worth it?
20 Tinder bios for guys: Best profile examples
Bumble bio: Good examples for females
With 12 million active users, Bumble was started by one of Tinder's founders who wanted to make a more women-friendly app in which female users are the only ones who can initiate a connection. Bumble's reputation is that its users tend to be looking for a more serious commitment.
Example #1: Showing vulnerability in your dating profile
Isa Sesay, 33, of Washington, D.C., was frustrated with the pool of men she was dating when she created her first online dating profile in January 2021. Previously, Sesay had been focused primarily on her education so didn't have a lot of experience dating in general.
Sesay decided to enlist the help of dating and relationship coach Joyice Robinson to take her profiles to the next level. Robinson is the creator of Match Marry Mate, a coaching service that helps Black women successfully navigate relationships.
“My work focuses on helping Black women tap into their feminine wisdom, set standards and boundaries, negotiate needs, and master communication with men,” Robinson says.
Using a questionnaire of thought-provoking and lighthearted questions, plus a 2-hour “brain dump,” Robinson helped Sesay craft profiles on dating apps like Bumble, Hinge and OKCupid. Within hours, she had dozens of matches.
“She was able to pull out the best parts of my personality while still giving a well-rounded view of who I am as a woman,” Sesay says.
Sesay has had the most positive response on Bumble and likes its “ladies first” approach to dating. Check out her profile here:
A free-spirited vibration creating life as an authentic woman with balanced principles. I value connection and community. Conversation and reflection support my evolution yet reminds me of “my tribe.” Looking for an accountable man who is ambitious, generous, and values thoughtfulness with care.
I'm a real nerd about…
The fusion of history, culture, and cuisine electrifies my mind and soul. Do you know how mofongo and fufu are connected?
I'm known for…
Car concerts and dance breaks — they are my jam! When the beat drops my body freely moves for joy and release.
“Most men that match with me on Bumble are men I would likely talk to in real life — educated, business-minded, community-focused and visually well put together. I never see a match that I don't match with first, so naturally, I see men that I am attracted to with shared interests in my DMs, and that makes me happy.”
[Bumble also has a friendship feature —one of the best friendship apps.]
Robinson says Sesay’s profile is successful because it includes what she likes to call the four Vs:
- Vulnerability: She confesses how things make her feel.
- Vision statement: She tells prospects what she wants.
- Values: She is clear on what is valuable to her.
- Visualization: The language in her profile tells the same story as the pictures she’s using.
“Dating profiles should be attractive and inviting. Being vulnerable and declaring your personal values invites prospects to desire to know you more as a person,” Robinson says. “Creating vision and visualization attracts prospects to be more curious about who you are as a woman. The secret sauce is a woman's ability ‘to be' and to create.”
Example #2: Using your Bumble profile as a conversation starter
Another one of Robinson's clients says she's noticed a big change in the quality of matches since she revamped her profile.
“In my profile, my hint at a basketball or baseball game as a great date is the best conversation starter,” she says. “Men are reading my profile, and I'm attracting the NICEST men! They are thoughtful, very interested in me and inquire about my likes and hobbies. And the best part is that they take me out on fun dates where I can be my authentic self and have a wonderful time.”
Check out her profile:
My roots are in the best beaches of the most beautiful West African country; the sound of ocean waves mixed with afrobeats is my happy place. Bonus if you guess the right country . Looking for a kind and ambitious dance partner who is up for a dope time at a Silk Sonic concert.
I get way too excited about…
Going to live sporting events. I love the energy I feel at a Wizards or Nats game. Even better when I'm with a fun date.
I'm a great +1 because….
I turn heads in skirts and shorts, I know how to laugh at myself; dancing is my super power, and I value fun, freedom, and community.
Bumble profile tips
- Be your authentic, vulnerable self
- Clearly communicate what you're looking for
- Use thought-provoking prompts that warrant a response
- Express your values
- Match your text to your images
If you want to see a guy’s perspective on what makes a good Bumble profile — as well as dating red flags — read through this Reddit thread:
Interested in checking out other dating sites and apps? Here are some dating app reviews:
eharmony | Zoosk | Match.com |
Elite Singles | Adult Friend Finder | Bumble |
Plenty of Fish | OKCupid | Christian dating apps |
Catholic dating sites |
Also, check out our roundup of best dating apps and sites for single parents, as well as 11 hookup sites if that is your jam.
Hinge profile examples
Hinge bills itself as the “relationship app,” which means the people you meet on Hinge are more likely looking for serious partnership than casual dating or hookups.
Here are some good Hinge profile examples and advice from Reddit:
This woman offered solid advice for a woman who was seeking feedback on her profile:
Worried about being catfished — or worse? How to catch a cheat and tips for safe online dating.
Examples of dating profile headlines for Hinge profiles
Hinge uses prompts to help you fill out your profile.
These are some of the best prompt responses and advice on how to write a good prompt, according to Redditors:
People also shared advice for what not to write in a Hinge prompt:
Hinge profile tips
- Use prompts that will start a conversation
- Avoid cliches like loving to travel and exercise
- List niche interests to weed out unqualified matches
- “Show” don't tell what you like and who you're looking for
Check out our post on how to write a dating profile bio.
[Older single moms dating younger men: What you need to know in 2022]
How do I make my dating profile stand out?
Margot Starbuck, author of Grown Woman’s Guide to Online Dating, says just being yourself makes you stand out. “Too many women write in their profiles that they love their dog, and the beach, and pumpkin spice latte. Nope! That vanilla profile sounds exactly like every other profile men are reading,” Starbuck says.
“The very best thing you can share in your profile is what makes you uniquely you. That’s the big win. Do you march for environmental issues? Have you been one of Beyonce’s backup dancers? Did you dress up like Wonder Woman for Halloween? Do you paint murals on buildings? Did you knit a sweater for Shaquille O’Neal? It doesn’t have to be flashy, it just has to be different than what thousands of other women are saying.”
Schwartz suggests getting dating site users’ attention with action photos: You playing a sport, in a unique travel destination, or playing a musical instrument. “That can be a great conversation starter,” she says.
Why single parents should not put their kids first in dating
Examples of how to introduce yourself on a dating site
Not sure how to break the ice with your matches?
Robinson says an easy way to introduce yourself on a dating site is to use content from the person’s profile to connect.
“If I read on a man's profile that he's a Knicks fan, I would use that to let him know what interests me and also to inform that match that I read his profile,” Robinson says. “And that is gold in the dating app world!”
She offered this example:
Looks like we're a match, (insert name). Last night the Knicks put on one hell of a show! 110-75… just wow! Are you still basking in the glory? Or do you like to keep it humble?
Once the conversation starts flowing, it might be tempting to dive into potential deal breakers — topics like income, kids, living situation, etc. But Robinson believes people should instead focus on learning each other’s personal values — what traits they’re looking for in a partner and what things are most important to them.
“Many times, my clients (and their matches) learn that the gems are in a person's why,” Robinson says. “Personal values allow us to explore why with the proper balance of empathy and assessment.”
She says this approach can help two people decide whether or not their values align and if they want to move forward.
Another key step in developing a connection — either physical, emotional, or spiritual — is doing some research about the other person, whether it’s a full background check or something less formal.
“In some cases, it makes sense to conduct a formal background check from the very beginning because of high-profile jobs, small children, or peace of mind,” Robinson says. “It is also fair to say that in our digital era, most people are gathering some informal background intel on you even if it's just a Google or social media search.”
Bottom line: When in doubt, keep your profile short and sweet
Use these dating profile examples and advice from the experts to develop a standout dating profile. And remember, the goal is to introduce yourself and make an initial connection. You don’t need to tell people everything about you. That’s what your first date is for!
Share your experience
What is your experience? Does being specific about your income help or hurt your online dating prospects? What kinds of pictures or messages connect with people who YOU connect with?
Share in the comments!
According to Megan Starbuck, “The very best thing you can share in your profile is what makes you uniquely you. That’s the big win. Do you march for environmental issues? Have you been one of Beyonce’s backup dancers? Did you dress up like Wonder Woman for Halloween? It doesn’t have to be flashy, it just has to be different than what thousands of other women are saying.”
Very useful information !! Thanks!